How to Rejuvenate an Old Apple Tree: The Secret to a Good Harvest

To rejuvenate an old apple tree, pruning is carried out according to the appropriate scheme. In this case, the height of the tree has to be reduced.

This scheme is often called "shock" or "radical." But in fact, it is a simple process in which you need to follow only one rule - do no harm.

Saving an old apple tree

Rejuvenating pruning cannot be considered complete by simply sawing off the top. It is a complex approach that is carried out in several stages and seasons.

You can start in spring or autumn, but the main thing is that the tree is in a dormant state - without leaves. This makes it easier to notice and remove unnecessary shoots.

Where to start

You need to start with an inspection. You need to identify problem areas, determine possible risks for the future for the tree. It is possible that rejuvenation as such no longer makes sense.

Trimming. Scheme

1. Pay attention to the crown. The lower and middle branches should be longer than the upper ones, the upper branch higher than the main crown.

2. At the same time, frozen shoots are removed and last year’s shoots are thinned out.

3. On a low-growing apple tree, it is often enough to trim only the tops of the shoots.

4. For medium-sized trees, shoots are cut back by 1/3.

5. On large trees, shoots are shortened by at least half.

Important! Large-scale pruning is carried out only if, for example, a strong wind has damaged part of the tree. In other cases, no more than ¼ of the crown can be pruned in one year.

We shorten the apple tree

Usually, this is done by removing the upper part of the trunk, approximately 3-4 meters from the ground.

On the side branches, the very top part is cut off by 1/3.

The lower branches are cut off if they do not bear fruit.

• Related news:
• apple
• harvest
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• country house
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• 7 March 2023

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